Expansible carrying case for camera parts or the like



Filed March 29, 1952 1954 s. KONTOFF ETAL ,691,401

EXPANSIBLE CARRYING CASE FOR CAMERA PARTS OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mums SAUL. KON'IOFF y IRVING RUBIN EXPANSIBLE CARRYING CASE FOR CAMERA PARTS OR THE LIKE s. KYONTOFF ETAL 2 Shee s-Sheet 2 Filedlarch 29, 1952 INVENTOILS- SAUL KONTOFF lRvlN? RUBIN Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXPANSIBLE CARRYING CASE FOR CAMERA PARTS OR THE LIKE Saul Kontofi and Irving Rubin, New York, N. Y.

Application'March 29, 1952, Serial No. 279,416

Claims. Cl. 15 052) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in carrying cases.

More particularly the invention is concerned with an expansible carrying case such as, for example, a case suitable for holding camera parts and photographic gadgets of various types, viz. a so-called gadget bag.

Expansible carrying cases of various types have been heretofore proposed. 1 These prior cases have, however, generally suffered from the drawback that their expansibility is not controllable,

and once expanded, it is not readily possible to return them to their original shape. As a result, the case upon repeated use soon becomes unsightly and disfigured and does not hold snugly articles placed in it unless filled completely to expanded capacity. Further, the case becomes bulky even when empty and is diflicult to carry and handle. In addition, the expansible structural features of the case are readily visible and detract from the appearance of the article. There have been proposals which are directed to the avoidance of some of these disadvantages and drawbacks of prior carrying cases but these proposals have not been entirely effective in solving the problem.

It is an object of the invention to provide an expansible carrying case which has normallyconcealed expansible structural features.

It is another object of the invention to provide an expansible carrying case of the character indicated which can be easily and rapidly returned from an expanded condition to its normal condition at will.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carrying case having a plurality of expansible portions embodying structural features of the type indicated.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an expansible carrying case which avoids the deficiencies and drawbacks of prior cases.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a carrying case, or bag, having at least one expansible portion comprising a longitudinallyextending gusset having its portion of widest expansion along the bottom of the case. The gusset is enclosed within the case by the bottom and end walls of the case and these portions of the case are formed with a continuous slit provided with closure means for normally holding the slit in closed position. Opening of the closure means to free the adjacent edges of the slit frees the gusset from restraint by thebottom and end walls and permits it to be expanded freely by articles placedin the case. Closing of the clo- 2 sure means again returns the gusset and the case to its normally contracted position and completely conceals the gusset.

In one form of the invention, the carrying case has formed on one of its sidewalls a supplementary holding compartment or pocket having a closable continuous slit in its bottom and end walls and an interior gusset permittingcontrolled expansion of the compartment.

The carrying case is also advantageously provided with means disposed in its interior for adapting it for use for holding various articles, said means including pockets, partitions, and the like. 7

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carrying case embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the case illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the continuous slits in closed position;

Fig. 3 is another end elevation of the carrying case of Fig. 1 but showing the slits in open position to expose the interior expansible gussets;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the case shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the case shown in Fig. 1 with its top open and the cover flap for the auxiliary compartment cut away to show details of construction of the compartment;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately along the line '6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a carrying case according to the invention having expansible means of modified structure; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of another carrying case embodying features of the invention but having a modifiedexpansible structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral l0 designates generally a photographic gadget bag constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrated in Figs. 1-6. Bag In is formed from leather, artificial leather, plastic or other convenient material of this type and has a bottom l2, side panels I l and I5 and end walls" and 18 which, in the embodiment illustrated are integral with the bottom l2, and define an elongated strip [9, the integral bottom and end wall strip being secured, as by stitching, to the side panels in any convenient manner. I-Iingedly connected to side panel 14 is a top 20, the connection between these two members being, as shown, an extension of side panel M which is secured to top 20 and an extension 22 of a lining 24 on the inside of the top, which lining is secured to the side panel [4. The bag it is closed by a slide fastener 26 having its cooperating portions or stringers secured respectively to the periphery of top 20 and to the upper edges of the bag body formed by the end walls H and I8 and the side panels I 4 and I5. A strap handle 25 is secured to the end walls to facilitate the carrying of bag H).

An auxiliary pocket or compartment 30 extends outwardly from side panel l and comprises an elongated strip 32 secured along one edge to panel l5, and providing bottom portion 34 and end wall portions 36, and an outer side wall 38. A cover flap All, secured to side panel I5, overlies the top opening of auxiliary pocket 30 and its securable to side wall 38 by a clasp 42.

In accordance with the invention, the bag it has normally concealed expansible means permitting ready expansion of the bag interior to accommodate additional articles and also permitting easy return to normal, non-expanded condition when desired. For this purpose, the strip 19 is formed with a continuous slit 45 extending from a point near the upper end of end wall H to point near the upper end of end wall 18. The edges of the slit 45 are provided with cooperating portions of a' closure means which in the embodiment illustrated is a slide fastener 48. The slide fastener portions are on the usual fabric strips which are stitched to the portions of the strip is adjacent the edges of slit 45. Interiorly of the bag, the opposite sides of the slit 45 are joined by a gusset 50 which, when the slide fastener is closed, is folded and extends inwardly into the bag. The ends of the gusset adjacent the ends of the slit 35 are folded against and secured to the end walls I? and I8 as by rivets 52. With the slide fastener closed, the edges of the strip iii are held together and the bag has its normal capacity. When, however, it is desired to increase the capacity of the bag to accommodate additional articles, it is merely necessary to open the slide fastener 68. This permits the side panels 14 and I 5 to be spread apart along the bottom and at its ends, the gusset 50 simultaneously opening to preserve the continuity of the interior lining of the bag at its increased capacity. The bag H3 then assumes the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When it is then desired to return the bag to its normal capacity and its original neat and compact shape, it is necessary only to close the slide fastener 45. This draws together the edges of the slit 45, returns the gusset iii! to its folded position, and the bag It assumes the shape shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figs. 1-4, the auxiliary pocket or compartment 35 is similarly advantageously provided with expansible means. The elongated strip 32 is formed with a continuous slit 55 extending along the bottom portion 34 and a substantial distance up the end wall portions 36. The edges of the slit 55 are provided with the cooperating elements of slide fastener 5'! mounted on the usual fabric strips. Interiorly, auxiliary pocket 39 is formed with a gusset 60 having its edges secured on opposite sides of the slit 55. The upper ends of gusset 50 are folded over and secured to the end wall portions 36, as by rivets 6!.

As described above in connection with the expand sible features of the main portion of bag Hi, the guesst 88 and the slit 55 closable by the slide fastener 51 permit expansion of the auxiliary pocket when desired, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and return to normal non-expanded position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Interiorly, gadget bag in is advantageously provided with various pockets and partitioned portions to facilitate the storage and ready accessibility of the articles placed in the bag. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, and as shown more particularly in Figs. 5 and 6, the inner surface of top at has secured to it a pocket 55 with a closure flap 66 securable to the body portion of the pocket by snap faseners 68. The interior of the main portion of the bag H) is partitioned by a flexible partition wall It secured along its side edges and bottom to a support member M (see Fig. 6) which is attached to side panel [4. An additional pocket '12 is removably secured, as by snap fasteners, to end wall i1.

While in the embodiment of the invention above described and illustrated in Figs. 1-6, both the main body portion of gadget bag I8 and the auxiliary pocket 38 are provided with the expansible features of the invention, it will be apparent that, alternatively, the bag in may be constructed to provide expansible means for only one of these two portions. Similarly, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in a bag which does not have an auxiliary pocket 30, nor does it have the interior pockets and partitions shown in Figs. 5 and. 6. Bags formed in accordance with the invention may also have a gusset construction diilfering in some respects from that shown in Figs. 1-6. Figs. '7 and 8 show some of the possible variations in the expansible means which characterize the invention.

Referring more particularly to Fig. '7, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a bag similar in construction to bag H), but having a modified expansible structure. Bag 15, shown in Fig. '7, has side panels Ti and 18 and a bottom and end wall-defining strip 88 constructed as in the embodiment of Figs. 1-6. Support 7'! is secured to panel '11. As in bag it, strip is formed with a longitudinally extending slit 8!, opposite edges of which are joinable by a slide fastener 82. The gusset 85, however, instead of being secured to the strip 88 adjacent both edges of the slit 8', extends from one side edge of strip 80 to the other. The auxiliary pocket 36 is similarly formed with the gusset 87 extending between the side edges of strip 88.

In Fig. 8, in which the expansible features of the invention are embodied in a bag which does not have a side auxiliary pocket, there is shown a bag which is similar in construction to the main body portion of bag it, and comprises side panels 8! and 92 and a strip 93 which forms the bottom and end walls of the bag. Support member 96 is secured to panel 9|. Whereas in the previously described embodiments the slit in the bottom and end wall-forming strip was positioned adjacent one of the side edges of the strip, in bag 9c the slit 95 extends centrally of the strip 93. The gusset 36, like the gusset 50 of bag l0, has edges secured adjacent the edges of slit 95.

In all of the above described embodiments, there is provided a readily expansible bag which may be expanded to a substantial extent to accommodate additional items to be carried but which may with equal ease be returned to its initial non-expanded condition at will. When the bag is in its closed, non-expanded condition, the expansible means are concealed, and the bulky, unattractive appearance of prior expansible bags is avoided.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An expansible carrying case comprising spaced-apart side walls and means defining a bottom and end walls secured between said side walls to define an enclosure having a top opening, a hinged cover for said top opening, said bottom and end Walls being provided with a continuous slit extending longitudinally along said bottom and a distance along each of said end Walls, closure means for joining the longitudinal edges of said slit, and a gusset interiorly of said case having its sides secured to said bottom and end walls on each side of the slit, said gusset being expansible to define an enlarged enclosure upon opening of said closure means.

2. An expansible carrying case comprising spaced-apart side walls and means defining a bottom and end walls secured between said side walls to define an enclosure having a top opening, a hinged cover for said top opening, said bottom and end walls being provided with a continuous slit extending longitudinally along said bottom and a distance along each of said end walls below said opening adjacent one longitudinal edge thereof to a point below said top opening, closure means for joining the longitudinal edges of said slit, and a gusset interiorly of said case having its sides secured to said bottom and end walls on each side of said slit, said gusset being expansible to define an enlarged enclosure upon opening of said closure means.

3. An expansible carrying case comprising spaced-apart side walls and a continuous strip defining a bottom and end walls secured between said side walls to define an enclosure having a top opening, a hinged cover for said top opening, said bottom and end walls being provided with a continuous slit extending longitudinally along said strip from a point close to one end thereof to a point close to the opposite end thereof to a point below said top, opening, closure means for joining the longitudinal edges of said slit, and a gusset interiorly of said case having its sides secured to said strip on each side of said slit, said gusset being expansible to define an enlarged enclosure upon opening of said closure means.

4. An expansible carrying case comprising spaced-apart side walls and a continuous strip defining a bottom and end walls secured between said side walls to define an enclosure having a top opening, a hinged cover for said top openi ng, said bottom and end walls being provided with a continuous slit extending longitudinally along said strip from a point close to one end thereof to a point close to the opposite end thereof to a point below said top opening, closure means for joining the longitudinal edges of said slit, and a gusset interiorly of said case having its sides secured to said strip on each side edge thereof, said gusset being expansible to define an enlarged enclosure upon opening of said closure means.

5. An expansible carrying case comprising spaced-apart side walls and means defining a bottom and end walls secured between said side walls to define an enclosure having a top opening, a hinged cover for said top opening, said bottom and end walls being provided with a continuous slit extending longitudinally along said bottom and a distance along each of said end walls below said opening, slide fastener closure means for joining the longitudinal edges of said slit, and a gusset interiorly of said case having its sides secured to said bottom and end walls on each side of said slit, said gusset being expansible to define an enlarged enclosure upon opening of said closure means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,636,838 Roser July 26, 1927 1,907,676 Roth May 9, 1933 2,018,809 Rodgers Oct. 29, 1935 2,078,624 Wolff Apr. 27, 1937 2,087,273 Wittenberg et a1. July 20, 1937 2,477,388 Moore July 26, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 644,486 Great Britain Oct. 11, 1950 651,536 Lawrence Apr. 4, 1951 

